My mom's organic (hydroponic) garden.

[Linda and "Toby"]

My mom is 81 going on 41. She has more energy than I do - lol! She's always wanted to be able to grow her own veggies, but living in the desert (Las Vegas) makes it difficult to do. It's too hot in the summer, too cold in the winter, etc. So, she created a hydroponic garden in her spare bedroom, complete with tent, lights, watering system, and is growing 100% organic veggies in the comfort of her own home! I'm amazed that she was able to grow these from seeds to beautiful plants in the middle of winter, in just 2 months. She's so happy! She can hardly wait to experiment with growing other veggies - and herbs, too.  (No, not marijuana - ROFL!)

PHOTOS TAKEN WITH MY iPHONE:

4'X4' TENT (about 6.5' tall):

100% ORGANIC, HYDROPONIC GARDEN:

 

BUTTER CRUNCH LETTUCE:

SWEET BANANA PEPPERS:

TOMATO PLANTS:

TOMATO PLANT'S FLOWERS

ORGANIC NUTRIENTS (NITROGEN, ETC):

[Kashmir and Joanie]

These pictures are great. Your Mom sure has a green thumb! Everything looks so delicious! And like you said,

no bugs!! She doesn't even need to go outside to pick her veggies!

Thanks for sharing!

[Leslie and Halas]

Very cool!

[Shelby and Kev]

These plants look awful good!  Do you send samples?? lol

[Linda and "Toby"]

haha! I know what you mean. They do look fresh and healthy! It's almost strange seeing lettuce without sunburned edges and bug-eaten holes in the leaves. ;)

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

These are amazing!  Interesting prospects for my basement since Luna won't leave the garden alone...

 

My only concern (after seeing the tomato flowers) is  - are these plants self-pollinating?  If they aren't, your mom might have to pollinate them herself using a Q-tip to actually get tomatoes.  Just brush some flowers from 1 tomato plant (assuming they are the same) with the flower from another to fertilize.  If they're different types of tomatoes, just brush one flower then another flower on the same plant.

 

Beautiful indoor garden!

[Linda and "Toby"]

I'm guessing they are self-pollinating because she has some cute little green tomatoes growing. Her peppers are coming in, too. But it will be good for her to know how to pollinate them, in case she needs to in the future. I'll be sure to share your tips with her. Thank you! :)

[F, Calla & Luca]

Exactly, just take a little paint or makeup brush and spread pollen from one plant to another. No need to study pistils and stamens really, just swish it around gently and go from the same variety to itself or another plant of the same variety. Or Mom can make hybrids by mixing it up. Not that I've ever done any of this myself mind you, I let the insects do the work outside : )

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

According to the latest teen jargon around here, your mom is really tight! - means awesome, not stingy

[Linda and "Toby"]

Thank you! It will make her day when I tell her this. (big smile)

[Lauria Orr]

This is so creative...and inspiring!  Thank you for sharing this!

[Jean, Rylee and Cooper]

Good for her!!

[RIDOODLES]

With age comes wisdom, you are so lucky, Linda to have a mom with this hobby. I'm in love with her idea...I cant purchase a good tomato in Rhode Island in the winter months so I gave up purchasing any, even the perfect looking ones they sell are tasteless, so this winter we used strawberries instead...not the same but it was tasty and fresh! I am looking forward to my tomatoes bursting this summer so I can finally taste a good organic tomato...Thank you for sharing :-)